Reporter Rejects Rob Ford's "Pedophile" Apology, Pursues Lawsuit
Bad news for Canada's most famous person: Daniel Dale, the Toronto Star reporter who Rob Ford accused of being a pedophile during a recent interview, has rejected the Toronto mayor's apology and is proceeding with a defamation lawsuit.
"I never called Mr. Dale a pedophile," Ford said to Toronto's city council on Thursday. "I have never used that word to describe Mr. Dale. I do not believe Mr. Dale is a pedophile nor did I intend to suggest that in my comments."
For the record, this what Rob Ford told Conrad Black during his interview last week. "I guess the worst one was Daniel Dale in my backyard taking pictures. I have little kids. When a guy's taking pictures of little kids. I don't want to say that word but you start thinking, 'What's this guy all about?'"
Ford went on, backtracking further from his statements, and said he never actually saw Dale in his yard. "To be clear I never personally saw Mr. Dale peering over the fence or taking pictures," Ford said. "My neighbor told me however that he did see someone doing this. Mr. Dale apparently denies that."
"Apparently." Dale not only denies peering into Ford's yard, he also called Ford's apology bullshit.
I asked Mayor Ford to 1) retract all of his false claims about my conduct and 2) issue an unreserved, abject, complete apology.
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) December 17, 2013
His statement today didn't come close. I'm proceeding with a defamation lawsuit.
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) December 17, 2013
Considering that Canada's anti-defamation laws are reportedly so strong that local papers are afraid to publish some damning reports on local politicians, Rob Ford has good reason to be concerned. No wonder he's taken up religion.
[Image via AP]